Position Summary

Philander Smith University seeks an experienced, strategic, and highly collaborative Vice President for Fiscal Affairs & Chief Financial Officer (VPFA/CFO) to provide executive leadership for the University's financial operations, fiscal strategy, financial planning, and long-term financial sustainability.

Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the President's Executive Cabinet, the VPFA/CFO is the University's chief financial officer and principal advisor to the President on budgeting, accounting, treasury, liquidity, investments, debt and capital financing, financial reporting, and financial sustainability.

The CFO leads the University's financial enterprise and partners across the institution to align financial strategy, operations, and resources with University priorities.

Organizational Oversight

• Controller's Office
• Accounting
• Budget and Financial Planning
• Treasury and Cash Management
• Accounts Payable
• Payroll
• Procurement and Purchasing
• Student Accounts/Bursar
• Financial Reporting
• Business Services

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as the University's chief financial strategist and principal financial advisor to the President.
• Develop long-range financial strategies and models supporting institutional priorities and sustainability.
• Evaluate the financial implications of major institutional initiatives and advise on resource allocation.

Financial Operations and Controls

• Direct accounting and financial operations and ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Maintain financial records in accordance with GAAP and applicable standards.
• Establish and maintain financial policies, procedures, internal controls, and appropriate segregation of duties.
• Oversee cash management, treasury, banking relationships, investments, and liquidity planning.

Budget, Forecasting, and Enrollment Revenue

• Lead annual operating and capital budget development and administration.
• Maintain multi-year financial forecasts incorporating enrollment, tuition and fees, institutional aid, personnel costs, debt, capital needs, and other significant drivers.
• Partner with Enrollment Management and appropriate offices to model enrollment, retention, discounting, net tuition revenue, housing, and auxiliary revenue.
• Monitor budget-to-actual performance and recommend timely corrective actions.

Executive Financial Reporting and Dashboards

• Maintain a forward-looking executive financial dashboard covering liquidity, revenues, expenses, receivables, debt, capital commitments, and major financial risks.
• Provide regular financial reporting to the President, Executive Cabinet, Board of Trustees, and Finance & Audit Committee.

Debt, Capital Financing, and Treasury

• Lead debt portfolio management, capital financing strategy, and long-term capital obligation planning.
• Evaluate financing alternatives and advise the President regarding affordability, structure, timing, and risk.
• Monitor debt covenants, debt-service requirements, and financing agreements.

Procurement, External Audit, and Systems

• Provide executive oversight of procurement and purchasing and promote transparent, competitive, and compliant practices.
• Coordinate the annual external financial audit and implement corrective actions within Fiscal Affairs.
• Implement corrective actions related to financial operations and controls.
• Lead financial-system modernization, process improvement, automation, and data-integrity initiatives.

Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate Fiscal Affairs personnel.
• Establish clear standards for accountability, service, responsiveness, and financial discipline.